ltwguns.com

Im looking at putting a new barrel in my carry gun, the current one is a colt factory commander barrel, and while it isnt too bad, it is a bit worn.

Im currently looking at three brands, nowlin, barsto, and kkm precision. I've not made up my mind on whether or not I will use a bull barrel, or a standard barrel with bushing. Most of the really nice stuff Ive seen here have standard barrels, is there a reason for that?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.



thanks in advance

Bolt

All three make very good barrels. For what it is worth I went through what you are going through and if I had to do it all over again I would go with a Kart barrel for several reasons (I ended up with a Scheumann). First of all they are very accurate, at $140 they are a bargin, they are readily available and they are made from carbon steel.

If you have your mind made up on having one of your original three I would go with KKM. I have dealt with Kevin in the past and had a very pleasant experience.

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"Domari Nolo"

Put me down for Kart also.

I believe that forged is better.

Kart

I have used Fred's barrels for over 20 years. Bill Bidwell told me about them and since the first one, I have never seen any reason to go to anything less. I have used well over 100 for the Online 1911 Classes with proven success. I am just getting ready to order 14 more.
I had a nice Colt Barrel in this gun, and it did a good job. I recently installed a Kart barrel in it because I wanted the best for all the components.

I've been told several times by my smiths that Colt barrels (current mfg) are very good. I've got Colt barrels in three of my customs and they preform as well as anything else I have.

My springfield guns all wear Kart barrels and I do believe they are the best if you're replacing. If you want stainless, I've had top notch results from Nowlin.

Good luck and good shooting!

Mark

Ok... Ive searched all over the internet for Kart barrels.. where the hell do I buy one?!

Brownells...1800-741-0015.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

Thanks again for the help gentlemen.

One last question, all the kart barrels I'm able to find on brownells.com are of the 5 and 6 inch variety, do they not make commander barrels?

Call them
1-910-754-5212
Hope its okay to post their number but it took me a while to find them on the internet. They do not have a website. Very friendly folks they should be able to help you out, if not you can buy a 5" and have it turned down a bit.

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"One thought he was invincible the other thought he could fly" well? "They were both wrong"
SIC VIS PACEM PARABELLEM

Thanks brother, RLTW.

Ask for Conrad and tell them LTW sent you. If you mention my name, they will hang up! Ask them what they think of Stainless Steel Barrels.

ALL THE WAY
class 9-00

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"One thought he was invincible the other thought he could fly" well? "They were both wrong"
SIC VIS PACEM PARABELLEM

I would agree too, go with a kart

I have used Kart, Barsto. Schueman and Storm Lake. They have all shot well and worked well after fitting. Depending on caliber, I would vote for the Storm Lake if you are on a budget as you can get them on E-bay for $79.00-$89.00. I have used several of them for personal and customer builds and they shoot as well as any of the others I have used. Given that, the Kart is a very good barrel for the money.

Jess

Tell me about Schueman....

I am working with a smith right now doing a custom build for me whose quite partial to the Scheuman and Id like to know more about it.

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Wil makes excellent barrels and his AET enhanced barrels are as good as you will find anywhere for any dollar amount. The only problem with Scheumann is that it can be quite difficult to get a barrel from him. When I was doing my build I called him and ordered a 5 inch non-ramped 45 ACP barrel that he said he had in stock and would ship the next day (my gun was supposed to be at the smith two week later). I got the barrel 5 weeks, and three phone calls later. The funny thing is that Wil is such a nice guy that I couldn't even bring myself to get mad at him for it.

Like I said it is an excellent barrel but I could have had a Kart two days after ordering it and it would have been just as accurate.

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"Domari Nolo"